Operator attendance at the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) annual assembly in Athens last month was down about a third, as carriers reassessed fleet strategies under their “worst-ever trading conditions” following the U.S. terrorism attacks and an earlier economic downturn. Before September 11, registrations for the event had been up 13 percent over last year, but many cancellations resulted from more restrictive corporate-travel policies, said ERA director general Mike Ambrose, who placed members’ losses since September 11 at some $4.4 million a day.
ERA president Joao Ribiero da Fonseca pointed to the “seriously, if not fatally, weakened economic condition” of major carriers with which many regionals are partners. The combined factors might lead to “a redesigned industry,” as airlines also face possible increased ATC charges arising from reduced traffic and higher fares driven by increased costs.
